Library carrel

ABSTRACT

A nestable library carrel in which two side walls are disposed at an angle with respect to each other and are supported by three elongated legs, one of the legs being positioned at the juncture between the side walls and the other legs supporting the side walls at points spaced from the one leg. The carrel is constructed to be nested in a square cluster wherein a central leg supports the junctures of all carrels and other legs are provided, each of which supports adjacent side walls of adjacent carrels. The carrel also is constructed to be arranged in a row configuration of two series of carrels oppositely facing and offset to provide adjacent side walls of oppositely facing carrels in abutting relationship. In row configuration the number of legs required to support the carrels is two more than the number of carrels in the row.

United States Patent 1191 Petersen 1 Jan. 7, 1975 [54] LIBRARY CARREL 122,424 8/1948 Sweden 108/64 82.329 11/1956 Denmark 108/64 [751 warm Mme, Chdrleb, 1,101,580 10/1955 France 108/64 73 Assigneez Interlake Inc" Chicago, 306,401 11/1968 Sweden 108/60 [22] Filed: Primary Ixamir1erPuul R. Gilliam [21] Appl. No.: 330,970 Assistant Iirumincr-Kenneth J. Dorner Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pranglcy. Dithmar, Vogcl. 1521 u.s. c1. 108/60, 06/157. 108/64, swtlmd 312/196 [51] lnt Cl A47b 87/00 1571 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 312/195-198; Avnestable brar 6 6 y carrel 1n wh1ch two slde walls are 108/60, 61, 64, 69, D6/1571 186 disposed at an angle with respect to each other and are supported by three elongated legs, one of the legs 156] References cued being positioned at the juncture between the side walls UNITED STATES PATENTS and the other legs supporting the side walls at points 2,875,008 2/1959 Grodsky 108/64 spaced from the one leg. The carrel is constructed to 3,053,598 /196 C e 108/64 be nested in a square cluster wherein a central leg sup- 3 9967 Shettlesm 108/64 ports the junctures of all carrels and other legs are 334M536 10/1967 Khanarm 108/91 provided, each of which supports adjacent side walls R of adjacent carrels. The carrel also is constructed to 10/1970 a 312,195 X be arranged in a row configuration of two series of 36884l9 9/1972 i 108/61 carrels oppositely facing and offset to'provide adja- 3I698I104 10/1972 56116618811121.........IIII:II 108/60 cent Side Walls of 0Ppositely facing Carrels in abutting 3,741,852 6/1973 Keener 108/64 relationship In row configuration the number of g D219,519 12/1970 Gianfagna 108/60 required to support the carrels is two more than the FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS umber of Carrels the 958,506 1/1957 Germany 108/64 R 5 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures Patented Jan. 7, 1975 I 3,858,528

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fm. I2

FIG. I3 flab rear 638h 638f 760 6/7g- 5 LIBRARY CARREL This invention relates to a nestable carrel and more particularly to a carrel which may be nested in a cluster or in a row configuration wherein adjacent side walls of adjacent carrels are supported by two common legs disposed therebetween.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a nestable carrel, the carrel comprising two vertically extending side walls disposed at an angle with respect to each other and meeting at a juncture therebetween, and three elongated legs secured to the side walls to provide support therefor, one of the elongated legs being secured to the side walls at the juncture thereof and the other ones of the elongated legs being respectively secured to the side walls at points spaced away from the juncture between the side walls, the outer surfaces of the side walls being planar and the extensions hereof in one direction meeting at the geometrical center of the one leg and the extensions thereof in the other direction extending respectively through the geometrical center of the other legs, whereby a plurality of carrels are nestable so that adjacent side walls of adjacent carrels are supported by two common legs disposed therebetween.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nestable carrel of the type set forth in which the carrel includes two side walls each having mounting means on one end thereof, a V-shaped member having mounting means on each of the legs thereof, the mounting means on each of the legs of the V-shaped member being constructed and arranged to mate with a respective one of the mounting means on the side walls.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a nestable carrel of the type set forth wherein each side wall has mounting means on one end thereof to provide a structure wherein the side walls are disposed at an angle with each other.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cluster of nestable carrels arranged such that the junctures of each carrel meet at a central location and adjacent side walls of adjacent carrels are abutting with elongated legs secured to the side walls to provide support therefor, one of the elongated legs being located at the central location and being secured to the juncture of each of the carrels to provide a central support therefor, others of the legs being secured to adjacent side walls of adjacent carrels at points thereon spaced away from the junctures.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of the nestable carrels arranged in row configuration, the row of carrels being comprised of two series of carrels oppositely facing and offset to provide adjacent side walls of oppositely facing carrels in abutting relationship, with a plurality of elongated legs secured to the side walls to provide support therefor, the adjacent side walls of oppositely facing carrels being supported by two common legs disposed therebetween.

These and other objects of the present invention will more readily be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the library carrel incorporating the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the library carrel shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view partly in elevation of the library carrel shown in FIG. 2 taken along lines 3- thereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the juncture between the side walls of the library carrel particularly showing a method of constructing the carrel;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a cluster of four library carrels;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a plurality of library carrels nested in row configuration;

FIG. 7 is a top elevational view of a second embodiment of the library carrel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view partly in elevation of the library carrel shown in FIG. 7 taken along lines 8-8 thereof; 1

FIG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the juncture between the side walls of the library carrel shown in FIG. 7, particularly showing the method of constructing the carrel;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view partly in elevation of the library carrel shown in FIG. 9 taken along lines l0l0 thereof;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view partly in elevation of the library carrel shown in FIG. 7 taken along lines l1ll thereof;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a cluster of four library carrels of the type shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a plurality of library carrels of the type shown in FIG. 7 nested in row configuration.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3 thereof, there is shown a first embodiment of a carrel 50 made in accordance with the invention and including a pair of side walls 60 and joined at a right angle and supported by a leg 110 at the juncture of the side walls 60 and 80 and two legs 115 respectively supporting the side walls 60 and 80, shelves and join the side walls 60 and 80 to provide work surfaces.

The leg is a right circular cylinder in cross section as are the legs 115. The side wall 60 as a first section 65 and a second section 70 disposed at an obtuse angle of about 135, the first section 65 having an inner surface 61 and a parallel and opposed planar outer surface 62 and an end surface 68. The side wall 60 has an arcuate inner surface 63 joining the inner surface 61 and the end surface 68 and an arcuate surface 64 joining the outer surface 62 and the end surface 68. The outer surface 62 and the end surface 68 are disposed at an angle of 45 and the arcuate extent of the surface 64 is 45 of a circle and has a radius of curvature. equal to one-half the diameter of the leg 110 so as to receive the outer surface of the leg 110 therein. The side wall 60 also includes at the other end thereof an arcuate inner surface 66 and opposite thereto an arcuate surface 67 to receive the associated leg therein.

The second section 70 of the side wall 60 is integrally formed with the first section 65 of the side wall 60. The second section 70 of the side wall 60 has an inner surface 71 and an opposed planar outer surface 72. The second section 70 has end arcuate surfaces 73 at the top and bottom thereof joined by a planar end surface 74. On the inner surface 71 of the second section 70 there is an arcuate surface 76 which is integral with the arcuate surface 66 of the first section 65 and similarly there is opposite to thearcuate surface 76 an arcuate surface 77 to receive the associated leg IIS therein.

The carrel 50 further includes a side wall 80 which has a first section 85 and a second section 90 disposed at an angle of about 135, the first section having an inner surface 81 and a parallel and planar outer surface 82 and an end surface 80. The inner surface 81 of the first section 85 of the side wall 80 is provided with an arcuate surface 83 joining the inner surface 81 and the end surface 88 and is integrally joined to the arcuate surface 63 of the side wall 60 to form a juncture between the side walls 60 and 80. An arcuate surface 84 joins the outer surface 82 and the end surface 88, the wall 80 being constructed and arranged as a mirror image of the wall 60. The outer surface 82 and the end surface 88 are disposed at an angle of 45and the arcuate extent of the surface 84 is 45 of a circle and has a radius of curvature equal to one-half the diameter of the leg 110 so as to receive the outer surface of the leg 110 therein. The side wall 80 also includes at the other end thereof an arcuate inner surface 86 and opposite thereto an arcuate surface 87 to receive the associated leg 115 therein.

The second section 90 of the side wall 80 is integrally formed with the first section 85 of the side wall 80. The second section 90 of the side wall 80 has an inner surface 91 and opposed planar outer surface 92. The second section 90 has end arcuate surfaces 93 at the top and bottom thereof joined by a planar end surface 94. On the inner surface 91 of the second section 90 there is an arcuate surface 96 which is integral with the arcuate surface 86 of the first section 85 and similarly there is opposite to the arcuate surface 96 an arcuate surface 97 to receive the associated leg 115 therein. v

It is seen from the above description that there have been provided a library carrel 50 including vertically extending side walls 60 and 80 which meet at a juncture formed by the arcuate surfaces 63 and 83, the end surfaces 68 and 88 and the arcuate surfaces 64 and 84, the arcuate surfaces 64 and 84 forming a groove at the juncture of the side walls in the outer surface thereof.

Similarly, each of the side walls 60 and 80 have formed therein at points spaced away from the juncture, grooves which extend vertically along the entire length of the respective wall, which grooves are comprised respectively of the arcuate surfaces 67 and 77 and the arcuate surfaces 87 and 97.

Each of the library carrels 50 includes a bottom shelf 100 having a top surface 101 and an opposed bottom surface 102. The bottom shelf 100 is disposed horizontally in use and interconnects the side walls 60 and 80. More particularly, the shelf 100 extends from the juncture of the side walls 60 and 80 outwardly therefrom in a generally triangular shape to the curved surfaces 66 and 76 in the side wall 60 and to the curved surfaces 86 and 96 in the side wall 80. The bottom shelf 100 is shaped such as at 103 to fit snugly to the inner wall surfaces hereinbefore set forth. The bottom shelf 100 may be secured to the walls 60 and 80 by means of adhesives, fasteners or the like.

There is also provided a top shelf 105 which is generally parallel to and spaced from the bottom shelf 100, the distance between the shelves being sufficient for the storage of library books and the like. The top shelf 105 includes opposed top and bottom surfaces 106 and 107, respectively, the top shelf 105 extending outwardly from the juncture of the side walls 60 and 80. The transverse extent of the top wall 105 is less than the transverse extent of the bottom wall 100 thereby to permit the bottom wall to act as a work surface and to allow the use thereof without interference by the top shelf 105. The transverse extent of the top shelf is sufficient to enable the storage of books and the like thereon.

Each of the carrels 50 is supported by an elongated leg 110 and two elongated legs 115, the leg 110 is comprised of a right cylindrical member 111 having a top end surface 112 and a bottom end surface 113. The legs 115 are each comprised of a right cylindrical member 116 having a top end surface 117 and a bottom end surface 118. Each of the legs 110 and 115 is connected to the associated carrel 50 by means of fasteners as will hereinafter be explained. It is seen from the drawings and particularly FIG. 2 thereof, that the two arcuate surfaces 64 and 84 at the juncture of the side walls 60 and 80 form a groove extending the entire vertical length of the side walls and having an arcuate extent of about 90. The arcuate extent of the groove formed by the arcuate surfaces 67 and 77 in the side wall 60 is about Similarly the groove formed by the arcuate surfaces 87 and 97 of the side wall 80 is about 135. The second sections 70 and 90 are angularly disposed with respect to the associated first sections 65 and 85 of the side walls 60 and 80 respectively to the extent of about 135 measured from the inside surface 81 of the side wall to the inside surface 91 of the extension wall and similarly for the side wall 60 and the extension wall 70. This angular configuration is important with respect to the nesting of the carrels 50, all as hereinafter will be explained.

There is shown in FIG. 4 of the drawing, a second embodiment of the library carrel made in accordance with the invention, the carrel 150 including side walls and 180 constructed and arranged respectively geometrically similar to the walls 60 and 80. The

wall 160 of the carrel 150 is provided with an inner surface 161 and an opposed planar outer surface 162. At one end of the side wall 160 there is provided a mounting means 165 including a bias surface 166 integral with the locking surface 167 parallel to the outer surface 162, which locking surface 167 is integral with an abutment surface 168 which extends perpendicularly with respect to the locking surface 167. From the abutment surface 168 there is provided a further abutment surface 169 also parallel to the outer surface 162 of the side wall 160. Finally, there is provided an abutment surface 170 which is parallel to the abutment surface 168 and connects the inner surface 161 of the side wall 160 with the abutment surface 169. The mounting means 165 is integrally formed with the wall 160 and extends away from the second section (not shown) of the wall 160 toward the juncture between the walls 160 and 180, as hereinafter will be explained. I

The carrel 150 further includes a side wall which is constructed and arranged to be the mirror image of the side wall 160, the side wall 180 having an inner surface 181 and an opposed planar outer surface 182. The side wall 180 is provided with a mounting means 185 on the end thereof away from the second section (not shown) of the wall 180. The mounting means 185 includes a biased surface 186 integralwith a locking surface 187 parallel to the outer surface 182, which locking surface 187 is integral with an abutment surface 188 perpendicularly disposed with respect to the locking surface 187. From the abutment surface 188 there is provided a further abutment surface 189 also parallel to the outer surface 182 of the side wall 180. Finally there is provided another abutment surface 190 which is parallel to the abutment surface 188 and connects the inner surface 181 of the side wall 180 with the abutment surface 189.

There is also provided a V-shaped juncture member 200 having an arcuate inner surface 202 and an arcuate outer surface 203, the arcuate extent of the outer surface 203 being 90 and forming a groove extending the vertical length of the juncture member 200. The leg of the V-shaped member 200 connected to the side wall 160 is provided with a mounting means 205, the mounting means 205 including a surface 206 complimentary to the surface 166, a surface 207 extending from the surface 206 and being complimentary to the surface 167, a surface 208 extending transversely with respect to the surface 207 and being complimentary to the surface 168, a surface 209 extending perpendicularly from the surface 208 and being complimentary to the surface 169 and a surface 210 extending parallel to the surface 208 and being complimentary to the surface 170. It is seen therefore that the mounting means 205 on the leg of the V-shaped juncture member 200 is constructed to mate with and lock with the mounting means 165 on the leg 160.

The juncture member 200, and more particularly the leg thereof constructed to be connected with the side wall 180, is provided with a mounting means 205a, the mounting means 205a including a surface 206a complimentary to the surface 186, a surface 207a extending from the surface 206a and being complimentary to the surface 187, a surface 208a extending transversely with respect-to the surface 207a and being complimentary to the surface 188, a surface 209a extending perpendicularly from the surface 208a and being complimentary to the surface 189, and a surface 210a extending parallel to the surface 208a and being complimentary to the surface 190. It is seen therefore that the mounting means 205a of the V-shaped juncture member 200 is constructed to mate with and lock with the mounting means 185 on the leg 180, thereby to provide a threepiece structure which is constructed and'adapted to receive a central leg 215 and appropriate legs on the respective side walls 160 and 180. The leg 215 is a right circular cylinder and is identical with the legs 110 and 115. The legs 160 and 180 are secured to the juncture member 200 and more particularly to the mounting means 205 and 205a thereof by any suitable adhesive or by fastening means such as bolts and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, there is disclosed a cluster 350 of four nested carrels 50. Each of the carrels are numbered using a letter, such as a, b, c and d, to distinguish each one from the other. More particularly, it is seen that the four carrels 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d making up the cluster 350 are supported by five elongated legs 110 and 115. The junctures of each of the carrels 50 meet at a central location and are there connected to and supported by a single elongated leg 110. Each carrel 50 has the two side walls thereof, for instance 60a and 80a, in abutting relationship with the side walls of the adjacent carrels, for instance 80a abuts 60b and 60a abuts 80d. Also, the two abutting side walls are supported by two common elongated legs as seen from the figure. More particularly, walls 80a and 60b are supported by the elongated legs 110 and ll5ab, the abutting walls 80b and 600 are supported by the elongated legs 110 and ll5bc, the abutting walls 10 junctures of each of the carrels 350 provides an arcuate groove having an angular extent of 90, thereby four of such grooves entirely encircle the central elongated leg 110. The common elongated leg 110 is constructed to provide appropriate mounting apertures every 90 around the circumference thereof to permit the four carrels to be mounted thereto, the details hereinafter being more fully set out. Similarly, each of the peripheral elongated legs 115 is provided with an appropriate mounting slot for each of the two carrels mounted thereto. Since each of the carrels 50 has two grooves formed by the arcuate surfaces 67 and 77 and the arcuate surfaces 87 and 98'with each groove being 135 in angular extent, the elongated legs 115 each must have two mounting slots therein which are approximately 135 apart.

While there has been described a cluster 350 which consists of four carrels, it is apparent that any number of carrels may be used to provide the cluster 350, the number of carrels'being restricted to an even integral number. For instance, eight carrels may be constructed and arranged so that the side walls of each carrel form a 45 angle with respect to each other with the outer surface of the juncture between the two side walls having an elongated groove therein with an'arcuate extent of 45. Eight of such carrels could be arranged into a cluster substantially as shown in the drawings.

Referring now to FIG. 6 there is disclosed a row configuration 450 of carrels arranged in two series of carrels oppositely facing and offset to provide adjacent side walls of oppositely facing carrels in abutting relationship. More particularly, it is seen that carrels 50e and 50g are arranged in side-by-side relation and abut whereas carrels 50f and 50h which are also in side-byside relation are oppositely facing with respect to carrels 502 and 50g and are also offset with respect thereto.

A significant advantage of the row 450 of carrels is the use of common elongated legs 110 to support three carrels, for instance, leg 1l0efg is secured to the juncture of carrel 50f, the side wall 60e of carrel 502, and the side wall of and carrel 50g. This configuration is thus economical and also space saving. Elongated leg 1l0gflt and elongated leg 110ghj also support three carrels.

Due to the angles of the second sections 70 and of the side walls 60 and 80, it is seen that adjacent walls of adjacent side-by-side carrels are in near abutting relation whereas adjacent side walls (such as 60e and 80]) of adjacent oppositely facing carrels (such as 50e and 50 are in abutting relation and are supported by two common elongated legs (such as l10ef and ll0efg). It is apparent from FIG. 6 that the number of elongated legs and side legs needed to support any number of carrels 50 arranged in row configuration 450 is two more than the number of carrels in the row.

While there has been disclosed a row 450 of carrels wherein each carrel has the side walls 60 and 80 thereof disposed so that the outer surfaces are at an angle of 90 with respect to each other, it is clear from the foregoing discussion that a row of carrels may be provided wherein each of the carrels has the side walls thereof disposed at some other angle other than 90, such as 45. All the advantages obtained by constructing the carrels so that they may be nested in a row such as that disclosed in FIG. 6 of the drawing will be obtained whether the included angle between the side walls 60 and 80 is 90 as is shown in the figure or some other angle such as 45.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-11 of the drawings, there is shown a third embodiment 550 made in accordance with the present invention, the carrel having a side wall 560 including a first section 560a having an inner surface 561 and an outer planar surface 562. The side wall 560 has an arcuate juncture member 563 having two spaced apart and vertically aligned counter bored apertures 563a extending therethrough. The arcuate juncture member 563 has an outer surface 564 which is integral with an abutment surface 565. The side wall 560 and more particularly the inner surface 561 thereof has an arcuate inner surface 566 spaced from the juncture member 563 and a concave arcuate outer surface 567 opposite to the inner surface 566, the surface 567 forming a groove for the same purpose as groove 67. The side wall 560 is provided with a ledge 568 which has a lower support member 568a, the ledge 568 and support 568a extending the entire longitudinal length of the first section 560a of the wall 560.

The side wall 560 also includes a second section 570 integral with the first section 560a, the second section having an inner surface 571 and a parallel and opposed planar outer surface 572. The section 570 has an arcu ate end edge surface 573 extending the entire length thereof. The second section 570 has an arcuate inner surface 576 which is integrally formed with the arcuate surface 566 of the first section 560a and a concave arcuate surface 577 opposite to the inner surface 576 and forming a groove with the surface 567, which groove extends the vertical length of the side wall 560 to receive an associated leg therein. A ledge 578 with a supporting member 5780 extends from and is integral with the ledge 568 and the support member 568a therefor.

There is further provided a side wall 580 including a first section 580a and a second section 590, the first section having an inner surface 581 and an opposed planar outer surface 582. A juncture member 584 is provided with a surface 583 integral with a surface 585 constructed and arranged to be complimentary to the surfaces of the juncture member 563 of the wall 560. The first section 580a of the side wall 580 has an arcuate inner surface 586 spaced from the juncture member 584 and has a concave arcuate surface 587 opposite to the surface 586. Finally there is a groove 584a in the juncture member 584 to receive therein an associated leg, the groove having an arcuate extent of 90. The first section 580a of the wall 580 is further provided with a ledge 588 and support 5880 extending approximately half way along the first section 580a from the juncture 584 toward the arcuate surface 586 thereof. There is further provided a second ledge 588b spaced from the ledge 588, the ledge 588b having a support surface 588c therefor. The ledge 588b and support surface 5880 therefor extends continuously along the first section 580a from the arcuate surface 586 toward the juncture 584. A similar ledge (not shown) on the wall 560 is aligned with and meets with the ledge 588b and support 5880 therefor.

The second section 590 of the wall 580 has an inner surface 591 and an opposed and planar outer surface 592. The second section 590 is integral with the first section 580a and has an arcuate edge surface 593 and an arcuate surface 596. There is further provided a concave surface 597 in the outer surface 592 which with the surface 587 forms a groove extending transversely of the wall 580. The second section 590 has a ledge 598 and support (not shown) therefor, which is an integral continuation of the ledge 588b and support 588a therefor. The ledge 598 and support extends along the section 590 to the same extent as the ledge 578 extends along the section 570.

There is provided a bottom shelf 600 having a top surface 601 and a bottom surface 602. The shelf 600 rests on the support surfaces 5880 and the continuation thereof on the wall 560 and is maintained in place by the ledges 588b and the continuation thereof on the wall 560, a plurality of fasteners 603 extending through the support surfaces and into the bottom shelf 600 to maintain the shelf in position. A top shelf 605 having a top surface 606 and bottom surface 607 is provided and mounted between the ledge 588 and support 588a therefor and the ledge 568 and support 568a therefor, the shelf being maintained in place by a plurality of fasteners 608. It should be noticed that the shelf 605 extends only half way between the juncture member 584 and the end of the wall 580.

A center leg 610 is provided which is tubular in shape, circular in cross section and has an inside surface 611 and an outside surface 612. Top and bottom covers 613 are provided to close the ends of the leg 610. The center leg 610 has two spaced apart and vertically aligned offset surfaces 615 in the wall thereof, each of the offset surfaces having an aperture 616 therethrough and a nut 617 mounted in the offset and in registry with the aperture. A fastener 618 having an enlarged head portion 619 is mounted in each of the counter bores 563 and extends through the wall 560 and the wall 580 into the associated nut 617 and the associated aperture 616 of the leg 610, thereby to connect the wall 560 and the wall 580 at two spaced apart points and to form a triangularly shaped structure wherein the outer surfaces 562 and 582 respectively thereon are disposed at an angle of to each other. It is seen that the juncture members 563 and 584 are aligned with the abutting walls 565 and 585 in registry and in abutting relationship. The fasteners 618 secure the two juncture members 563 and 584 together to provide the assembled structure.

Two legs 630 are provided, each being tubular in shape, circular in cross section and having an inner surface 631 and an outer surface 632. Each of the side legs 630 is provided with a key hole slot 636 in the wall thereof, the key hole slot 636 being positioned so that when the tops of the side legs 630 are even with the tops of the side walls 560 and 580, the key hole slots are positioned slightly below the support members holding the top shelf 605. Each of the walls 560 and 580 is provided with a fastener 638 mounted in the arcuate groove formed by the surfaces 567, 577, 587 and 597 each of the fasteners 638 having an enlarged head 639 thereon spaced from the associated groove. The side legs 630 are hung on the fasteners 638 to provide one point of support for the side legs 630. Each of the side legs 630 is connected to the respective wall 560 or 580 by a fastener positioned underneath the bottom shelf 600 and extending through the associated side wall into the adjacent leg 630. It is seen, therefore, that each of the side legs 630 is provided with two points of attachment to the respective side wall.

There has been provided a triangularly shaped library carrel 550 wherein the two side walls 560 and 580 are joined together at the juncture therebetween by means of two spaced apart bolts 618. Each of the side walls is provided with a side leg 630 at a point thereon away from the juncture, the side legs also being mounted to the side walls at spaced apart points. Since the top shelf 605 does not extent along the entire wall 580 and users of the carrel 550 can see under the top shelf 605, the fasteners 638 are provided so that no unsightly holes are viewed on the inside surfaces 561 and 581 of the walls 560 and 580 respectively. The screws used for the other points of attachment of the side legs 630 to the respective side walls are positioned underneath the bottom shelf 600 and are therefore hidden from view.

The carrels 550 may be arranged into a cluster 650 having the same configuration and same advantages as the cluster 350 hereinbefore set forth, see FIGS. and 12. With respect to the cluster 650, there is provided a center leg 660 similar to the center leg 610 hereinbefore described but having eight offsets therein corresponding to the bolts used to attach each of the carrels 550a, 550b, 5500 and 550d thereto. Each of the carrels 550a through 550d is of the type illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 11 and is securely fastened to the center leg 660 by means of two of the eight bolts extending through the offset portions 6650-11 provided in the center leg. Further, each of the carrels 550a-d is provided with an end leg 670, the end legs 670 being similar to the end legs 630 except that two key hole slots 675 are provided at an appropriate angular separation to accommodate the attachment of two adjacent carrels to each of the end legs. In FIG. 12, the end leg 670 serves to connect carrel 550 a with carrel 550d and therefore is provided with two key hole slots 675a and 675d. It is clear that each of the other carrels is attached to an end leg 670 in a like manner to provide support for adjacent side walls of adjacent carrels by two common legs.

There is further provided, as seen in FIG. 13, a row of carrels 750 similar to the row 450 shown in FIG. 6. The mutual point of support for three carrels is provided by a leg 760 having an appropriate offset 765 where the juncture between the walls of one carrel is connected to the leg. The leg 760 is further provided with two fasteners 766 of the type used in the side legs 630 where the side walls of adjacent carrels are attached to the leg 760. It is seen, therefore, that the leg 760 is a combination of the previously described legs 610 and 630 and serves the functions described with respect to both of those legs. As seen particularly in FIG. 13, a carrel 550g has the juncture between the walls thereof securely fastened to the leg 760 by means of the two bolts 618g being received into the spaced apart and vertically aligned offsets 7653 and the nuts 617g provided therein (only one bolt and recess being shown). The side wall 560f of the carrel 550f is at tached to the leg 760 by means of the key hole slot 766f in the side wall 560f and the associated fastener 638 a second point of support below the bottom shelf not being shown. Similarly, the side wall 580): of the carrel 550i: is attached to the leg 760 by the key hole slot 766k and the fastener 638b, a second point of support below the bottom shelf also not being shown. It is seen, therefore, that all of the advantages set forth above with respect to the row of carrels 450 is repeated and obtained by the row of carrels 750.

The principal difference between the carrel 50, the carrel 150 and the carrel 550 is in the number of pieces needed to form the same and the manner of securing those pieces one to the other. The preferred carrel is the two-piece construction (not including the legs) shown in FIGS. 7-11 wherein the side wall 560 is integrally molded with the juncture member 563 and the side wall 580 is integrally molded with the juncture member 584 to provide a two-piece construction easily assembled as hereinbefore set forth.

In a constructional example the side walls are 30 inches high by 36 inches long and are molded out of a synthetic organic resin such as expanded ABS purchased from Marbon, Inc., under the trade designation CYCROLAC. The overall width of a single carrel is 46 inches from the side leg 630 to the oppositely disposed side leg 630. The legs are of a suitable length to position the bottom shelf at a convenient height to provide a work surface for studying and writing. The top shelf is used for book storage.

The leg 660 at the central location in the cluster 650 and tubular and circular in cross section with two sets of vertically spaced apertures therein, the apertures each receiving a fastener 665 therethrough. Each of the apertures in a set is spaced from the adjacent apertures, and as seen, there are four apertures in each set or a total of eight apertures in each leg 660. Each of the legs 670 in the cluster 650 has two sets of vertically spaced apart keyhole-shaped slots therein, each set being angularly spaced approximately 114 to provide two points of support for each of the side walls spaced away from the leg 660, which points of support are hidden from view. Each side wall of each carrel is provided with appropriately spaced apart fasteners to coact with the keyhole slots to mount the carrels to the leg at vertically spaced apart points concealed from view.

The legs 760 in the row 750 of carrels are tubular and circular in cross section, the number of legs 760 supporting three carrels in the row 750 being equal to two less than the number of carrels in the row. Each of the legs 760 has two vertically spaced apart offsets 765 for receiving a fastener 618 which supports a carrel at the juncture between the legs thereof, only one offset and one fastener being shown. Two sets of two vertically spaced apart keyhole-shaped slots 766 are provided in the leg 760, each set being angularly spaced apart about 104 from the offset 765 for providing two points of support for each of the two carrel side walls 560 and 580 supported thereon.

The row 750 of carrels may also be provided with two legs that have only one set of vertically spaced apart keyhole-shaped slots therein, these two legs being for the end carrels in the row of carrels, see FIG. 6, leg ll0e. Additionally, it may be desirable to provide two other legs which have means to support two carrels, one at the juncture between the side walls thereof and one at the side wall thereof, see leg ef in FIG. 6. This last named leg need only be provided for reasons of style as other legs, such as 110 gflz, have the required apertures therein.

While there has been provided what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the various modifications and alterations may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention and it is intended to cover in the following claims all such alterations and modifications.

What is claimed is:

1. A nestable carrel, comprising two vertically extending side walls with the outer surfaces thereof disposed at an angle of 90 meeting at a juncture therebetween, a longitudinally extending cylindrical groove at said juncture having an arcuate extent of 90, a longitudinally extending cylindrical groove on the outer surfaces of each of said side walls at a point spaced away from said juncture having an arcuate extent of 120, three elongated hollow cylindrical legs secured to the outer surfaces of said side walls to provide support therefor, means for connecting one of said legs to said cylindrical groove at said juncture and for securing the others of said legs to respective ones of said groove in said side walls, said connecting means extending into each of said hollow cylindrical legs to preserve the smooth exterior surfaces thereof, the outer surfaces of said side walls being smooth and planar and the extensions thereof in one direction meeting at the geometrical center of said one leg and the extensions thereof in the other direction, extending respectively through the geometrical centers of said other legs, whereby a plurality of carrels are nestable in cluster or in row configuration so that adjacent side walls of adjacent carrels are in registry along the entire length thereof and are supported by two common legs disposed therebetween.

2. The nestable carrel set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said other cylindrical legs has a keyhole slot therein to facilitate securing said legs by said connecting means to said side walls at said points spaced away from said juncture.

3. The nestable carrel set forth in claim 2, and further comprising extension walls extending respectively outwardly from each of said side walls at the ends thereof away from said juncture, the outer surfaces of said extension walls forming an angle of 135 with the outer surfaces of said side walls, the end of one extension wall abutting the end of the extension wall of the adjacent carrel when said carrels are nested in row configuration.

4. A cluster of four nestable carrels, each carrel comprising two vertically extending side walls with the outer surfaces thereof disposed at an angle of meeting at a juncture therebetween, a longitudinally extending cylindrical groove at said juncture having an arcuate extent of 90, a longitudinally extending cylindrical groove on the outer surfaces of each of said side walls at a point spaced away from said juncture having an arcuate extent of four of said carrels being arranged such that the junctures of said carrels are disposed at a central location and adjacent side walls of adjacent carrels are abutting, and are in registry along the entire length thereof, and five elongated hollow cylindrical legs secured to said side walls to provide support therefor, one of said legs being located at the central location and being received in said grooves in said junctures to provide a central support for said carrels, others of said elongated legs being secured to adjacent side walls of adjacent carrels at said points spaced away from said junctures, and means extending into each of said hollow cylindrical legs for connecting said legs to said side walls and to preserve the smooth exterior surfaces thereof.

5. A plurality of nestable carrels arranged in row configuration, each of said carrels comprising two vertically extending side walls with the outer surfaces thereof disposed at an angle of 90 meeting at a juncture therebetween, a longitudinally extending cylindrical groove at said juncture having an arcuate extent of 90, a longitudinally extending cylindrical groove on the outer surfaces of each of said side walls at a point spaced away from said juncture having an arcuate extent of 120, the row of carrels being comprised of two series of carrels oppositely facing and offset to provide adjacent side walls of oppositely facing carrels in abutting relationship in registry along the entire length thereof, a plurality of elongated hollow cylindrical legs secured to said side walls to provide support therefor, and means extending into each of said hollow cylindrical legs for connecting each of said legs to the associated side walls to preserve the smooth exterior surfaces thereof, the adjacent side walls of oppositely facing carrels being supported by two common legs disposed therebetween. I 

1. A nestable carrel, comprising two vertically extending side walls with the outer surfaces thereof disposed at an angle of 90* meeting at a juncture therebetween, a longitudinally extending cylindrical groove at said juncture having an arcuate extent of 90*, a longitudinally extending cylindrical groove on the outer surfaces of each of said side walls at a point spaced away from said juncture having an arcuate extent of 120*, three elongated hollow cylindrical legs secured to the outer surfaces of said side walls to provide support therefor, means for connecting one of said legs to said cylindrical groove at said juncture and for securing the others of said legs to respective ones of said groove in said side walls, said connecting means extending into each of said hollow cylindrical legs to preserve the smooth exterior surfaces thereof, the outer surfaces of said side walls being smooth and planar and the extensions thereof in one direction meeting at the geometrical center of said one leg and the extensions thereof in the other direction, extending respectively through the geometrical centers of said other legs, whereby a plurality of carrels are nestable in cluster or in row configuration so that adjacent side walls of adjacent carrels are in registry along the entire length thereof and are supported by two common legs disposed therebetween.
 2. The nestable carrel set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said other cylindrical legs has a keyhole slot therein to facilitate securing said legs by said connecting means to said side walls at said points spaced away from said juncture.
 3. The nestable carrel set forth in claim 2, and further comprising extension walls extending respectively outwardly from each of said side walls at the ends thereof away from said juncture, the outer surfaces of said extension walls forming an angle of 135* with the outer surfaces of said side walls, the end of one extension wall abutting the End of the extension wall of the adjacent carrel when said carrels are nested in row configuration.
 4. A cluster of four nestable carrels, each carrel comprising two vertically extending side walls with the outer surfaces thereof disposed at an angle of 90* meeting at a juncture therebetween, a longitudinally extending cylindrical groove at said juncture having an arcuate extent of 90*, a longitudinally extending cylindrical groove on the outer surfaces of each of said side walls at a point spaced away from said juncture having an arcuate extent of 120*, four of said carrels being arranged such that the junctures of said carrels are disposed at a central location and adjacent side walls of adjacent carrels are abutting, and are in registry along the entire length thereof, and five elongated hollow cylindrical legs secured to said side walls to provide support therefor, one of said legs being located at the central location and being received in said grooves in said junctures to provide a central support for said carrels, others of said elongated legs being secured to adjacent side walls of adjacent carrels at said points spaced away from said junctures, and means extending into each of said hollow cylindrical legs for connecting said legs to said side walls and to preserve the smooth exterior surfaces thereof.
 5. A plurality of nestable carrels arranged in row configuration, each of said carrels comprising two vertically extending side walls with the outer surfaces thereof disposed at an angle of 90* meeting at a juncture therebetween, a longitudinally extending cylindrical groove at said juncture having an arcuate extent of 90*, a longitudinally extending cylindrical groove on the outer surfaces of each of said side walls at a point spaced away from said juncture having an arcuate extent of 120*, the row of carrels being comprised of two series of carrels oppositely facing and offset to provide adjacent side walls of oppositely facing carrels in abutting relationship in registry along the entire length thereof, a plurality of elongated hollow cylindrical legs secured to said side walls to provide support therefor, and means extending into each of said hollow cylindrical legs for connecting each of said legs to the associated side walls to preserve the smooth exterior surfaces thereof, the adjacent side walls of oppositely facing carrels being supported by two common legs disposed therebetween. 